Letters

Council spends

BRIAN ROGERS asks why if recycling was ‘sold’ as saving money, council tax has risen since its introduction.

City of York Council has a strategic objective to deliver effective and efficient waste-management services, which includes diverting as much waste as possible from landfill by increasing reuse, recycling and composting.

For every tonne of waste segregated for recycling there is a cost saving of £80.

However, not all households recycle, so the council is working to increase participation in kerbside recycling.

Council-tax charges provide for a wide range of services including the growing costs of adult social care – this year its costs will exceed council-tax collection – which recent increases have paid for.

York’s difficulty, like other councils, is its revenue funding cuts from the Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition – cuts of nearly £70m since 2010 – while encouraging capital investment for infrastructure works.

With regards to Kettering, for 2014/15 the county and borough councils had smaller cuts in government funding than York.

Kettering Band D is £1,451 (county council £1,048.57, Kettering Borough £205.39, police and fire £197.04,). On top are parish council charges compared with City of York Band D of £1,437.49(CYC £1,165.54, police and fire £271.95).

Comments (9)

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Deputy Leader:
For every tonne of waste segregated for recycling there is a cost saving of £80.

The Councillor has failed to mention the revenue from the sale of segregated recyclable materials. So in 2013 the savings in landfill tax were circa £72 per tonne, plus revenue for the sale of the materials.

Facts on the table Councillor:

1. How many tonnes diverted from landfill to recycling 2013 ?.
2. By material type how much recycled material sold to buyers ?.
3. Total value of the savings achieved by residents recycling ?.

Recycling prices are published and available via this link:

http://www.letsrecyc
le.com/prices

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Deputy Leader:
For every tonne of waste segregated for recycling there is a cost saving of £80.
The Councillor has failed to mention the revenue from the sale of segregated recyclable materials. So in 2013 the savings in landfill tax were circa £72 per tonne, plus revenue for the sale of the materials.
Facts on the table Councillor:
1. How many tonnes diverted from landfill to recycling 2013 ?.
2. By material type how much recycled material sold to buyers ?.
3. Total value of the savings achieved by residents recycling ?.
Recycling prices are published and available via this link:
http://www.letsrecyc
le.com/pricesYOUWILLDOASISAY

So, if every tonne that goes to recycling means a cost saving, you should be encouraging people to recycle, not charging them for the privilege. Why should we use our own fuel in the Winter months to recycle garden waste/small animal bedding? (I didn't, it all went in the black bin, adding to landfill.) Why, in Summer months, should those with more to recycle charged to do so? (I won't be, any extra goes in the black bin, etc, etc). And before the compost lobby pipe up, I have lawns, I don't have flower beds, so composting is pointless for me.

More people would be encouraged to recycle if it were less hassle. I know people who put everything in the black bin because they can't be bothered to sort it into each different container. I'm sure there are some places where all household recycling (not garden waste) goes into one bin to be sorted elsewhere.

Surely, there must be ways for recycling to be made easier and less hassle for people?

So, if every tonne that goes to recycling means a cost saving, you should be encouraging people to recycle, not charging them for the privilege. Why should we use our own fuel in the Winter months to recycle garden waste/small animal bedding? (I didn't, it all went in the black bin, adding to landfill.) Why, in Summer months, should those with more to recycle charged to do so? (I won't be, any extra goes in the black bin, etc, etc). And before the compost lobby pipe up, I have lawns, I don't have flower beds, so composting is pointless for me.
More people would be encouraged to recycle if it were less hassle. I know people who put everything in the black bin because they can't be bothered to sort it into each different container. I'm sure there are some places where all household recycling (not garden waste) goes into one bin to be sorted elsewhere.
Surely, there must be ways for recycling to be made easier and less hassle for people?imassey

Totally agree with YOUWILLDOASISAY, since recycling came in nothing has ever been published with regards to how much money has been generated from the aluminium, steel, glass, cardboard and paper which is sold, answers are needed .

Totally agree with YOUWILLDOASISAY, since recycling came in nothing has ever been published with regards to how much money has been generated from the aluminium, steel, glass, cardboard and paper which is sold, answers are needed .bravo whisky

Tracey it's always someone else's fault Simpson Laing blaming the government again what a surprise,I find it bizarre and unethical Tracey that whilst your salary is payed for by us the taxpayers of York you are already trying to set up your next well paid job with no accountability again I.e the EU as an MEP,is this because you realise your not up to the job in York or do you think you will be out of a job when labour is voted out next year? And I hope your not campaigning for the next cushy job whilst on us the taxpayers payroll,that would be like David Moyes talking to Norwich whilst getting stuffed by Everton

Tracey it's always someone else's fault Simpson Laing blaming the government again what a surprise,I find it bizarre and unethical Tracey that whilst your salary is payed for by us the taxpayers of York you are already trying to set up your next well paid job with no accountability again I.e the EU as an MEP,is this because you realise your not up to the job in York or do you think you will be out of a job when labour is voted out next year? And I hope your not campaigning for the next cushy job whilst on us the taxpayers payroll,that would be like David Moyes talking to Norwich whilst getting stuffed by EvertonThislittleold market town

People would give TSL half an ear if Labour weren't so utterly wasteful with the limited budget they have. So many unnecessary projects are coming into the public spotlight and the people of York have cottoned on to Lendal Bridge ; 20mph one-woman campaign by paid "20's Plenty" employee Cllr Anna Semlyn; Kings Square; £250k on rearranging signage...etc...etc

People would give TSL half an ear if Labour weren't so utterly wasteful with the limited budget they have. So many unnecessary projects are coming into the public spotlight and the people of York have cottoned on to Lendal Bridge ; 20mph one-woman campaign by paid "20's Plenty" employee Cllr Anna Semlyn; Kings Square; £250k on rearranging signage...etc...etcmarvell

Looking at the efforts by the Mark-Down Mongrels it seems the truth does indeed hurt.

Keep marking dow the scores, it's a measure of failure on the part of those that spend time on such activities.

Woof, Woof, Failures, Woof, Woof.

Looking at the efforts by the Mark-Down Mongrels it seems the truth does indeed hurt.
Keep marking dow the scores, it's a measure of failure on the part of those that spend time on such activities.
Woof, Woof, Failures, Woof, Woof.YOUWILLDOASISAY

So tsl thinks that " York’s difficulty, like other councils, is its revenue funding cuts from the Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition".
Wrong! Yorks coyc difficulty is that they actually appear to be
- incompetant in an awful ot of areas (not just one)
- to struggle to work to an accountable (yes accountable) budget
- they refuse to get involved in any meaningful discussions with third parties
- they appear not to be open and honest and use bullying tactics to get their own way
- they make cuts on such things as essential adult services (you quoted this one tsl) and close facilities and farm the home care services out to private companies.

Yet they spend hundreds of thousands of pounds - actually millions of pounds - on things such as
- closing roads and creating traffic congestion shemes
- Kings Square (which has had its history/ character ripped out of it)
- cycle tracks (that are hardly used)
- illegal traffic management schemes (ie. Lendal Bridge/ Coppergate)
- introducing 20mph zones across the whole of York and outlying areas (which is not in the sprit intended by the Highway Code and is certainly not wanted)
- introducing spy cars (whats betting their use is not just going to be restricted to the vicinity of schools - and is it actually legal for the driver of that car to issue penalty notices?)
- electric vehicle charging points (the only electric vehicles I know of in York belong to coyc)
- do not encourage recycling by charging people people for a second green bin (the first one is not free anyway as it paid for through council tax) and issue wasteful (and apparently ineffective) stickers for green bins.
The list is endless.
Oh and one final point - they try to blame everyone else for the own shortcomings.

So tsl thinks that " York’s difficulty, like other councils, is its revenue funding cuts from the Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition".
Wrong! Yorks coyc difficulty is that they actually appear to be
- incompetant in an awful ot of areas (not just one)
- to struggle to work to an accountable (yes accountable) budget
- they refuse to get involved in any meaningful discussions with third parties
- they appear not to be open and honest and use bullying tactics to get their own way
- they make cuts on such things as essential adult services (you quoted this one tsl) and close facilities and farm the home care services out to private companies.
Yet they spend hundreds of thousands of pounds - actually millions of pounds - on things such as
- closing roads and creating traffic congestion shemes
- Kings Square (which has had its history/ character ripped out of it)
- cycle tracks (that are hardly used)
- illegal traffic management schemes (ie. Lendal Bridge/ Coppergate)
- introducing 20mph zones across the whole of York and outlying areas (which is not in the sprit intended by the Highway Code and is certainly not wanted)
- introducing spy cars (whats betting their use is not just going to be restricted to the vicinity of schools - and is it actually legal for the driver of that car to issue penalty notices?)
- electric vehicle charging points (the only electric vehicles I know of in York belong to coyc)
- do not encourage recycling by charging people people for a second green bin (the first one is not free anyway as it paid for through council tax) and issue wasteful (and apparently ineffective) stickers for green bins.
The list is endless.
Oh and one final point - they try to blame everyone else for the own shortcomings.jay, york

jay, york wrote:
So tsl thinks that &quot; York’s difficulty, like other councils, is its revenue funding cuts from the Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition". Wrong! Yorks coyc difficulty is that they actually appear to be - incompetant in an awful ot of areas (not just one) - to struggle to work to an accountable (yes accountable) budget - they refuse to get involved in any meaningful discussions with third parties - they appear not to be open and honest and use bullying tactics to get their own way - they make cuts on such things as essential adult services (you quoted this one tsl) and close facilities and farm the home care services out to private companies. Yet they spend hundreds of thousands of pounds - actually millions of pounds - on things such as - closing roads and creating traffic congestion shemes - Kings Square (which has had its history/ character ripped out of it) - cycle tracks (that are hardly used) - illegal traffic management schemes (ie. Lendal Bridge/ Coppergate) - introducing 20mph zones across the whole of York and outlying areas (which is not in the sprit intended by the Highway Code and is certainly not wanted) - introducing spy cars (whats betting their use is not just going to be restricted to the vicinity of schools - and is it actually legal for the driver of that car to issue penalty notices?) - electric vehicle charging points (the only electric vehicles I know of in York belong to coyc) - do not encourage recycling by charging people people for a second green bin (the first one is not free anyway as it paid for through council tax) and issue wasteful (and apparently ineffective) stickers for green bins. The list is endless. Oh and one final point - they try to blame everyone else for the own shortcomings.

Add to your list:-

£600k making 5yr-old Eco depot offices at James Street, open-plan to add four extra workspaces - authorised by Kersten England with no councillor sanction required. Real reason was to make it like West Offices - pure vanity!

Cuts? - what cuts? - they are spending (wasting) money as though it grows on trees!!!

[quote][p][bold]jay, york[/bold] wrote:
So tsl thinks that " York’s difficulty, like other councils, is its revenue funding cuts from the Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition". Wrong! Yorks coyc difficulty is that they actually appear to be - incompetant in an awful ot of areas (not just one) - to struggle to work to an accountable (yes accountable) budget - they refuse to get involved in any meaningful discussions with third parties - they appear not to be open and honest and use bullying tactics to get their own way - they make cuts on such things as essential adult services (you quoted this one tsl) and close facilities and farm the home care services out to private companies. Yet they spend hundreds of thousands of pounds - actually millions of pounds - on things such as - closing roads and creating traffic congestion shemes - Kings Square (which has had its history/ character ripped out of it) - cycle tracks (that are hardly used) - illegal traffic management schemes (ie. Lendal Bridge/ Coppergate) - introducing 20mph zones across the whole of York and outlying areas (which is not in the sprit intended by the Highway Code and is certainly not wanted) - introducing spy cars (whats betting their use is not just going to be restricted to the vicinity of schools - and is it actually legal for the driver of that car to issue penalty notices?) - electric vehicle charging points (the only electric vehicles I know of in York belong to coyc) - do not encourage recycling by charging people people for a second green bin (the first one is not free anyway as it paid for through council tax) and issue wasteful (and apparently ineffective) stickers for green bins. The list is endless. Oh and one final point - they try to blame everyone else for the own shortcomings.[/p][/quote]Add to your list:-
£600k making 5yr-old Eco depot offices at James Street, open-plan to add four extra workspaces - authorised by Kersten England with no councillor sanction required. Real reason was to make it like West Offices - pure vanity!
£30k on 150 new chairs for Eco depot offices, replacing perfectly serviceable chairs - more vanity spending by Ms England.
Cuts? - what cuts? - they are spending (wasting) money as though it grows on trees!!!Badgers Drift

jay, york wrote:
So tsl thinks that &quot; York’s difficulty, like other councils, is its revenue funding cuts from the Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition". Wrong! Yorks coyc difficulty is that they actually appear to be - incompetant in an awful ot of areas (not just one) - to struggle to work to an accountable (yes accountable) budget - they refuse to get involved in any meaningful discussions with third parties - they appear not to be open and honest and use bullying tactics to get their own way - they make cuts on such things as essential adult services (you quoted this one tsl) and close facilities and farm the home care services out to private companies. Yet they spend hundreds of thousands of pounds - actually millions of pounds - on things such as - closing roads and creating traffic congestion shemes - Kings Square (which has had its history/ character ripped out of it) - cycle tracks (that are hardly used) - illegal traffic management schemes (ie. Lendal Bridge/ Coppergate) - introducing 20mph zones across the whole of York and outlying areas (which is not in the sprit intended by the Highway Code and is certainly not wanted) - introducing spy cars (whats betting their use is not just going to be restricted to the vicinity of schools - and is it actually legal for the driver of that car to issue penalty notices?) - electric vehicle charging points (the only electric vehicles I know of in York belong to coyc) - do not encourage recycling by charging people people for a second green bin (the first one is not free anyway as it paid for through council tax) and issue wasteful (and apparently ineffective) stickers for green bins. The list is endless. Oh and one final point - they try to blame everyone else for the own shortcomings.

Add to your list:-

£600k making 5yr-old Eco depot offices at James Street, open-plan to add four extra workspaces - authorised by Kersten England with no councillor sanction required. Real reason was to make it like West Offices - pure vanity!

Cuts? - what cuts? - they are spending (wasting) money as though it grows on trees!!!

Can we add a defunct wind turbine to the list for eco depot?

[quote][p][bold]Badgers Drift[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]jay, york[/bold] wrote:
So tsl thinks that " York’s difficulty, like other councils, is its revenue funding cuts from the Conservative Liberal Democrat Coalition". Wrong! Yorks coyc difficulty is that they actually appear to be - incompetant in an awful ot of areas (not just one) - to struggle to work to an accountable (yes accountable) budget - they refuse to get involved in any meaningful discussions with third parties - they appear not to be open and honest and use bullying tactics to get their own way - they make cuts on such things as essential adult services (you quoted this one tsl) and close facilities and farm the home care services out to private companies. Yet they spend hundreds of thousands of pounds - actually millions of pounds - on things such as - closing roads and creating traffic congestion shemes - Kings Square (which has had its history/ character ripped out of it) - cycle tracks (that are hardly used) - illegal traffic management schemes (ie. Lendal Bridge/ Coppergate) - introducing 20mph zones across the whole of York and outlying areas (which is not in the sprit intended by the Highway Code and is certainly not wanted) - introducing spy cars (whats betting their use is not just going to be restricted to the vicinity of schools - and is it actually legal for the driver of that car to issue penalty notices?) - electric vehicle charging points (the only electric vehicles I know of in York belong to coyc) - do not encourage recycling by charging people people for a second green bin (the first one is not free anyway as it paid for through council tax) and issue wasteful (and apparently ineffective) stickers for green bins. The list is endless. Oh and one final point - they try to blame everyone else for the own shortcomings.[/p][/quote]Add to your list:-
£600k making 5yr-old Eco depot offices at James Street, open-plan to add four extra workspaces - authorised by Kersten England with no councillor sanction required. Real reason was to make it like West Offices - pure vanity!
£30k on 150 new chairs for Eco depot offices, replacing perfectly serviceable chairs - more vanity spending by Ms England.
Cuts? - what cuts? - they are spending (wasting) money as though it grows on trees!!![/p][/quote]Can we add a defunct wind turbine to the list for eco depot?Back and Beyond